Topic –INFINITIVE WITH TO and ARTICLES a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound: a university (sounds

INFINITIVE WITH TO
like 'you-ni-ver-sity,' i.e. begins with a consonant 'y' sound, so 'a' is used); a
After the following phrases we use the infinitive with to in English:
union; a unicycle
1. After the first
an + nouns starting with silent h :an hour
 Gagarin was the first to fly in a spaceship.
a + nouns starting with a pronounced 'h': a horse
2. After the last
In some cases where 'h' is pronounced, such as 'historical', you can use an.
 Peter was the last to watch the film.
However, 'a' is more commonly used and preferred.
3. After the next
If the noun is modified by an adjective, the choice between 'a' and 'an'
 He is the next to get his passport.
depends on the sound of the adjective that immediately follows the article:
4. After adjectives
a broken egg (begins with a consonant, and consonant sound)
 I'm happy to be here.
an unusual problem (begins with a vowel, and a vowel sound)
 It's better not to smoke.
a European country (Although this begins with a vowel, the word is
5. After special verbs (agree, choose, forget, hope, learn, promise,
pronounced 'yer-o-pi-an' or 'yor-o-pi-an' and so begins with a consonant 'y'
regret*, want …)
sound)
 I am learning to drive a car.
Also, indefinite articles are used to indicate membership in a group:
* After regret the to-infinitive is used when announcing bad news: We
I am a teacher. (I am a member of a large group known as teachers.)
regret toinform you that the flight to Munich has been cancelled.
Michael is an Irishman. (Michael is a member of the people known as
6. After question words
Irish.)
 I don't know what to say.
Silvio is a practicing christian. (Silvio is a member of a group of people
 Can you tell me how to get to the bus stop?
called christians)
7. After want / would like
Definite Article: 'the'
 I want you to help me.
The definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun
8. After Verb + Object
is specific or particular. The indicates that the noun is definite and that it
 I helped my dad to clean the car.
refers to a specific member of a group.
 Attention!
For example:
 I want to help you. (I help you.)
'The dog that bit me was black and white.' Here, we're talking about a
 I want you to help me. (Youhelp me.)
specific dog, the dog that bit me.
ARTICLES – DEFINITEANDINDEFINITE
'I was very happy with the mechanic who fixed my car!' Here, we're talking
What is an article?
about a particular mechanic, even if there were many other mechanics
Basically, an article is an adjective. Like adjectives, articles modify nouns.
present.
English has three articles: 'the', 'a', 'an'. We use 'the' to refer to specific or
'I saw the baby elephant at the zoo.' Here, we're talking about a specific
particular nouns; We use 'a'or 'an' to modify non-spcific or non-particular
noun. There was only one baby elephant at the zoo.
nouns. We call 'the' the definite article and 'a/an' are called indefinite
Countable and Uncountable Nouns
articles.
'The' can be used with uncountable nouns, or the article can be omitted
 the = Definite article entirely.
 a/an = indefinite article 'He spilled the milk all over the floor' (some specific milk, perhaps the only
milk you had) or 'He spilled milk all over the floor' (any or some milk).
'The' is used to refer to specific or particular members of a group, or a 'A/an' can only be used with countable nouns.
specific noun. 'I need a bottle of water.'
For example, if we say: 'I need a new car.'
'Let's read the book', we mean a specific book. (If we say, 'Let's read a Geographical nouns
book', we mean any book and not a specific book.) There are some specific rules for using 'the' with geographical nouns.
'I just saw the most popular movie of the year.' (There are many movies, but We don't use 'the' before:
only one movie can be the most popular.) Names of most countries/territories: Italy, Mexico, Bolivia; however,the
'A/an' are used to refer to one non-specific or non-particular member of the Netherlands, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, the United States,
group. the United Kingdom
For example, 'I would like to go see a movie.' (Here, we're not talking about Names of cities, towns, or states: Rome, London, Paris
a specific movie. We're talking about any movie.) Names of streets: Oxford Street, 5th Avenue
Indefinite Articles: a and an Names of lakes and bays: Lake Ontario, Lake Geneva except with a group
'A' and 'an' indicate that the noun modified is indefinite, referring to any of lakes like the Great Lakes, the Lake District
member of a group. Names of mountains: Mount Everest, Mount Fuji except with ranges of
For example: mountains like the Andes or the Alps or unusual names like the Matterhorn
'My daughter really wants a puppy for Christmas.' Names of continents (Asia, Europe)
This refers to any puppy, and not to one specific puppy. Names of islands (Easter Island, Maui, Key West) except with island chains
'Somebody call a policeman!' like the Aleutians, the Hebrides, or the Canary Islands
This refers to any policeman. We don't need a specific policeman; we need We do use 'the' before:
any policeman who is available. Names of rivers, oceans and seas: the Nile, the Pacific
'When I was at the zoo, I saw an elephant!' Points on the globe: the Equator, the North Pole
Here, we're talking about a single, non-specific thing, in this case an Geographical areas: the Middle East, the West
elephant. There may be several elephants at the zoo, but we're talking about Deserts, forests, gulfs, and peninsulas: the Sahara, the Persian Gulf,the
one particular elephant. Black Forest, the Iberian Peninsula
Remember, using 'a' or 'an' depends on the sound that begins the next Omission of Articles
word. So... Some common types of nouns that don't take an article are:
a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy; a car; a bike; a zoo; Names of languages and nationalities: Chinese, English, Spanish, Russian
a dog (unless you are referring to the population of the nation: "The Spanish are
an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an elephant; an egg; an apple; known for their hospitality.")
an idiot; an orange Names of sports: volleyball, hockey, baseball
Names of academic subjects: mathematics, biology, history, computer
science